Milwaukee Water Commons
Milwaukee Water Commons is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops community programs advancing water stewardship, environmental justice, blue-green jobs, arts, and education, serving city residents, neighborhood organizations, and minority- and women-owned businesses through free programming funded by foundation grants and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMilwaukee, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Milwaukee Water Commons does
Milwaukee Water Commons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community network founded in 2013 and headquartered at 1836 W. Fond du Lac Ave. in Milwaukee's Lindsay Heights neighborhood, on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee homeland along the southwest shore of Lake Michigan. The organization develops community-based programs that advance water stewardship, equity, arts, education, and blue-green jobs, serving Milwaukee residents with particular focus on neighborhoods historically affected by environmental injustice and lead contamination. Its service population spans residents, neighborhood organizations, minority- and women-owned businesses seeking water-sector contracts, and local government and utility partners including the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
The organization's portfolio includes the Water City Agenda (an umbrella initiative with six initiative areas developed through engagement of more than 1,300 residents), Water School (a year-long leadership program engaging five partner sites annually with mini-grants for neighborhood water projects and a 50+ organization alumni network), We Are Water (an annual inter-arts lakefront festival at McKinley Beach), Branch Out Milwaukee (a tree-canopy initiative launched in April 2022 in Sherman Park), the Artists in Residence program (launched 2024 with five artists), and the Beach Ambassador Project (delivered with Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and Wisconsin Sea Grant). Underlying technology is non-proprietary; the organization develops educational curricula, community organizing playbooks, and policy publications such as the November 2025 Public Procurement Report produced with the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
Milwaukee Water Commons is co-led by Co-Executive Directors Adriana "Nanis" Rodriguez and Kirsten Shead and operates with 10-11 staff supported by a Board of Directors chaired by Rev. Michelle Townsend De Lopez. Revenue is generated through foundation grants and individual donations from a disclosed pool of at least 14 funders including the Kresge Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, American Rivers, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Wisconsin DNR, and Patagonia. All community programs are provided free of charge to participants, and the organization distributes programming directly through neighborhood partnerships, public events, an email newsletter, social media channels (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram), and earned media coverage.
Milwaukee Water Commons firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Milwaukee Water Commons
- Legal name
- Milwaukee Water Commons
- Website
- https://milwaukeewatercommons.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Milwaukee Water Commons is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops community programs advancing water stewardship, environmental justice, blue-green jobs, arts, and education, serving city residents, neighborhood organizations, and minority- and women-owned businesses through free programming funded by foundation grants and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Milwaukee Water Commons industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Stewardship and Environmental Justice Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
Keywords
Where Milwaukee Water Commons is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milwaukee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Milwaukee Water Commons business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Individual Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Milwaukee Water Commons relies on foundation funding and individual donations to support its programs including Water School, We Are Water festival, Branch Out Milwaukee, and advocacy initiatives. The organization maintains a list of funders including American Rivers, The Joyce Foundation, Brookby Foundation, Wisconsin DNR, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Patagonia, McDougal Family Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Crown Family Philanthropies, Water Foundation, Milwaukee Environmental Justice Network, Movement Voter Fund, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Sustain Our Great Lakes Program).
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Milwaukee Water Commons product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Milwaukee Water Commons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops community-based programs advancing water stewardship, equity, arts, education, and blue-green jobs in Milwaukee. Its core offerings include the Water City Agenda (an umbrella participatory roadmap with six initiative areas), We Are Water (annual lakefront cultural celebration), Water School (year-long leadership and stewardship program), Branch Out Milwaukee (urban tree canopy campaign), the Beach Ambassador Project (water safety outreach), and Artists in Residence (water-themed public art program).
Product overview
Milwaukee Water Commons operates as a nonprofit community network offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives focused on water stewardship, equity, and community engagement. The core offerings include the Water City Agenda (an umbrella initiative with six initiative areas), We Are Water (annual lakefront festival), Water School (year-long leadership program), Branch Out Milwaukee (tree canopy campaign), Artists in Residence (arts program), and the Beach Ambassador Project. These programs work together to advance the organization's mission of making Milwaukee a model Water City through community engagement, environmental justice, and equitable access to water.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water City Agenda
- We Are Water
- Water School
- Branch Out Milwaukee
- Artists in Residence
- Beach Ambassador Project A strategy organized with partner organizations to effectively communicate Lake Michigan beach conditions while increasing water safety awareness and knowledge among the general public.
- Public Procurement Report
Companies that use Milwaukee Water Commons
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Milwaukee Water Commons technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Milwaukee Water Commons partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Water Equity Task ForceflagshipCoalition of government agencies, utilities, nonprofits, and community groups working since 2018 to connect marginalized communities to water-sector careers. Co-hosted by Milwaukee Water Commons and US Water Alliance.
- Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)corePartnered with Milwaukee Water Commons on the November 2025 Public Procurement Report examining equity in Milwaukee's water sector contracting. Research drew from 25 interviews with utilities, city staff, contractors, and advocates.
- Milwaukee Community Sailing CentercorePartner organization in the Beach Ambassador Project, which aims to communicate Lake Michigan beach conditions and increase water safety awareness among the public.
- Milwaukee RiverkeepercorePartner organization in the Beach Ambassador Project working to communicate beach conditions and promote water safety awareness at Milwaukee beaches.
- Wisconsin Sea GrantcorePartner organization in the Beach Ambassador Project providing research and educational support for water safety and beach condition communication.
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)coreGovernment utility partner. MWC advocates for expanding MMSD's Business Capacity Development Program which helps small and minority-owned firms build competitiveness for water sector contracts.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Milwaukee Water Commons competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Milwaukee Water Commons social profiles
Digital presenceMilwaukee Water Commons financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Milwaukee Water Commons leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Milwaukee Water Commons funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Milwaukee Water Commons M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Milwaukee Water Commons
What does Milwaukee Water Commons do?
Milwaukee Water Commons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops community-based programs advancing water stewardship, equity, arts, education, and blue-green jobs in Milwaukee. Its core offerings include the Water City Agenda (an umbrella participatory roadmap with six initiative areas), We Are Water (annual lakefront cultural celebration), Water School (year-long leadership and stewardship program), Branch Out Milwaukee (urban tree canopy campaign), the Beach Ambassador Project (water safety outreach), and Artists in Residence (water-themed public art program).
Is Milwaukee Water Commons a public or private company?
Milwaukee Water Commons is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Milwaukee Water Commons founded?
Milwaukee Water Commons was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Milwaukee Water Commons based?
Milwaukee Water Commons is headquartered in Milwaukee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Milwaukee Water Commons make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Grants and Individual Donations.
Does Milwaukee Water Commons have an API?
No public API is recorded for Milwaukee Water Commons.
What industry is Milwaukee Water Commons in?
Milwaukee Water Commons's product category is Water Stewardship and Environmental Justice Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection. Its NAICS code is 71219.